it's the top of the hour in tokyo and this is nhk "newsline." i'm ross mihara. british prime minister david cameron has conceded defeat over a historic referendum over the uk's membership in the eu. he says he will step down by october. >> i will do everything i can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but i do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination. a negotiation with the european union will need to begin under a new prime minister. and i think it's right that this new prime minister takes the decision about when to trigger article 50 and start the formal and legal process of leaving the eu.

>> article 50 of the lisbon treaty stipulates rules for eu exit. cameron has been in office since 2010. he said he wants the new prime minister in place by the time of his party's conference in october. he reassured britons and europeans that despite the referendum result there will be no immediate changes to their lives. election officials say 51.9% of voters in the uk chose to leave the european union and 48.1% voted to remain. prime minister cameron had campaigned to stay and said a decision to leave would damage the country's economy. people against staying in the eu say it imposes too many regulations and they say the free movement of people within the bloc has brought too many migrants to britain. they accuse them of taking jobs and raising social welfare costs. former london mayor boris johnson led the brexit campaign.

>> they have decided that it is time to vote to take back control. from a european union that has become too remote, too opaque, and not accountable enough to the people it is meant to serve. >> the uk is the first country to vote to quit the eu. it could impact the regional bloc significantly. now that uk voters have decided to leave the eu, here's what will happen next. the uk needs to formally notify leaders of all of the union's member states of its intention to leave. there's no timeline on when that has to happen. but once the notification is triggered, there's a two-year window on negotiating a new agreement to replace the terms of membership. eu officials are concerned the first exit of a member nation could trigger a tide against european integration. in places like denmark, citizens are campaigning for their own

referendum on their country's membership. and in other countries across the eu, including france and germany, criticism has grown over the handling of the migrant crisis. the eu has also been criticized for bailing out greece from its debt crisis. european council president donald tusk held a news conference after the results of the referendum became clear. >> there's no hiding the fact that we wanted a different out come of yesterday's referendum. i'm fully aware of how serious, how dramatic this moment is politically. and there's no way of predicting all the political consequences of this event, especially for the uk. we are determined to keep our unity as 27. for all of us, the union is the framework for our common future. i would also like to reassure

you that there will be no legal vacuum until the united kingdom formally leaves the european union, eu law will continue to apply to and within the uk, and by this i mean, rights as well as obligations. >> barack obama says his government respects the decision by the people of the united kingdom to leave the european union. in a statement released by the white house on friday, obama said the special relationship between the u.s. and uk is enduring. he said the u.k.'s membership in nato remains a vital cornerstone of economic policies. the president said the same about the u.s. relationship with the eu, which he said has done so much to promote stability, stimulate economic growth and foster the spread of democratic

values. >> people around the world have been closely watching the referendum results, including here in japan on the streets of tokyo. >> i voted to leave. >> reporter: really? >> yep. i wanted england to have its own government, its own legal system, its own control over who comes into the country, and for the future, i think that that's very important for england. >> yes, i think it's quite a good decision for the country, because this way they can decide what can be good for their own country. >> translator: i've traveled in the uk and studied in ireland, so i didn't need to use my passport to travel in europe. i just have anxious feelings about what's going to happen now. >> translator: it would be better if they stayed in the eu.

the japanese economy may take a hit. the yen could get stronger and that would hurt our economic growth. they organize the eu to be stronger together, but by breaking apart, there will be no future. >> the surprise outcome in the uk has rattled global markets sending stocks tumbling. and triggering rapid movements in currency markets. at one point in asian trading the dollar fell below 100 yen. our business reporter phoebe amoroso at the tokyo stock exchange has the details. >> despite conflicting polls leading up to the referendum, many traders didn't seriously price in a victory for the brexit camp, so this result has really unsettled them. the nikkei 225 lost nearly 8%, it ended the day below 15,000 after suffering its biggest setback since april 2000. the broader topix fell 7.2%. turning to currencies, the british pound plummeted against the dollar during asian trading hours, reaching levels not seen since 1985.

investors flocked to the safe haven yen, driving the dollar down to around 99 yen, its lowest level since november 2013. taking a look at individual stocks, the plummeting yen hit export-related shares hard. hitachi and mazda motor saw a double-digit loss. so, a sharp brexit vote has caused an immediate and negative reaction in the markets. analysts say the decision has damaged global confidence and may prompt the federal reserve to hold off on a planned interest rate rise this year, and it may lead to a new round of policy easing from major central banks. i'm phoebe amoroso. at the tokyo stock exchange. britain's central bank says it's ready to provide more than 250 billion pounds or about $350 billion of additional funds to support financial markets. >> we are well prepared for this. her majesty's treasury and the bank of england have engaged in

extensive contingency planning, and the chancellor and i have remained in close contact, including through the night and this morning. to be clear, the bank of england will not hesitate to take additional measures as required as markets adjust, and as the uk economy moves forward. >> the governor says it will take some time for the uk to establish new relationships with europe and the rest of the world. he says some market and economic volatility can be expected as this process unfolds. japanese prime minister shinzo abe has instructed his ministers to work with other group of seven countries to stabilize financial markets. he met with relevant ministers following the uk referendum. they included finance minister taro aso and a deputy governor of the bank of japan. >> translator: we're concerned about the risks the referendum results will have on the global economy and financial markets. it's necessary to ensure

stability in the markets. >> abe says the g7 leaders agreed at the ise-shima summit in may to take appropriate policy responses in a timely manner to avoid an economic crisis. he says japan will work for global economic growth and market stability, in line with the agreement. finance leaders from the group of seven nations have pledged to continue to consult closely on market moves and financial stability following the uk decision. aso chaired an emergency teleconference. >> translator: g7 finance ministers recognize that excessive volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates can have an adverse impact on economic and financial stability. >> also aso said central banks have taken steps to ensure adequate liquidity as well as to support the normal functioning of the markets. the results of the referendum has also sparked action in asia.

patchari raksawong in bangkok is following the story. >> here in thailand the historic referendum on the uk's membership in the eu has also dominated the news. the bank of thailand issued a press release saying thailand's export it is to uk accounted for 1.8% of the country's total exports in 2015. the bank added it plans to closely monitor developments in the world economy while overseeing economic and financial stability. singaporean prime minister leung posted a comment on facebook. he said the next few years will be uncertain for britain and europe, and that leaving the eu is as complicated as joining it. he also said developments need to be watched carefully as nobody can foresee all the consequences of brexit. in india, the economic affairs secretary said his country was prepared for the stunning result. >> we have enough firepower to deal with the situation, and the

firepower will be used judiciously in a manner that we maintain stability of our economy. >> the reserve bank of india has accumulated a record $363.2 billion in foreign exchange reserves. indonesia's foreign ministry said on friday that seven indonesian sailors have been kidnapped in the sulu sea in the southern philippines. >> translator: the indonesian government strongly condemns yet another kidnap of our nationals by armed groups in the southern philippines. this third incident is unacceptable. >> the kidnapped sailors were working on a tugboat pulling a coal barge. earlier this year up to 18 indonesians and malaysians were abducted in a series of attacks on tugboat by hijackers claiming

to be from the abu sayyaf militant group. >> translator: the indonesian government urges the philippine government to ensure peace in the waters off the southern philippines so that economic activity in the area is not affected. the indonesian government is ready to work with its counterpart to deal with this issue. >> indonesia, malaysia and the philippines agreed last month to step up cooperation and jointly patrol the waters. indonesia, the world's largest exporter of coal, has expressed concern that piracy in the busy sulu sea shipping lanes could reach the same level as seen in somalia. myanmar's de facto leader aung san suu kyi has pledged to reinforce trust-building measures to bring about national reconciliation in her country. the nobel peace prize laureate addressed an invited audience of thai students on the second day of her three-day visit to

thailand. >> since we became an independent nation in 1948, we have -- we cannot claim that there has been peace throughout our nation. there have always been pockets of conflict, and now we are working to remove these pockets of conflict, to turn conflict into friendship, to turn conflict into mutual trust and understanding. >> fighting between government forces and ethnic minority groups continued for more than 60 years after the country's independence from britain, following her party's historic victory in the general election last november, aung san suu kyi expressed her resolve to seek a lasting peace with armed ethnic minority groups. the government of former president hein sein signed a cease-fire agreement last october but failed to make it apply nationwide. the maternal and child health handbook has been helping pregnant women, new mothers and their children in japan for

almost 70 years. the handbook contains a unique program of tracking the health of expectant mothers and newborn babies. the program has been spreading internationally to more than 30 countries, mostly in africa and asia. from remote northern vietnam, nhk world's hiroko date has more. >> reporter: for the past six years, pregnant women in this village have been receiving a handbook to help them care for themselves and their babies. it has information on the different stages of pregnancy, delivery, and postnatal child care and advice on when to visit a clinic for professional medical support. >> translator: the handbook helps me manage my health, so i'm glad to have it. >> translator: i can check my child's weight and physical conditions.

>> reporter: this woman works for an international nonprofit organization based in tokyo which is promoting the handbook. she first introduced it to vietnam 18 years ago and goes back regularly to monitor how it's being used. >> translator: to prevent infant deaths, mothers have to take care of themselves and their children. >> reporter: the regional japanese handbook came out in 1948, just after world war ii. at the time, more than 200,000 babies a year were dying before their first birthday. the handbook helped the mothers monitor their babies' health, diagnose problems and treat them before and after childbirth. today, vietnam is just one of many countries outside japan

where the handbook is being used. on this day, bando visits suntimi and her 5-month-old girl. the handbook came in useful when the infant was running a high fever. the suggested ways to treat the fever and recommended going to the doctor when it persisted. >> translator: i took her to the hospital immediately. >> reporter: the girl was diagnosed with bronchitis. without prompt treatment, the outcome could have been serious. >> translator: the handbook tells us when to get a checkup. mothers can feel reassured. >> reporter: bando also sees room for improvement.

pages where parents should note their children's growth are often left blank. she explains the importance of keeping a careful eye out for early signs of illness. >> translator: each handbook costs less than $1. if mothers in villages around the country were to use it, it would be an enormous international contribution. i hope to continue providing support not only to vietnam but other countries, too. >> reporter: bando is determined to overcome differences of language and culture to help children around the world. >> that wraps up our bulletin. i'm patchari raksawong in bangkok. emerging economies, powers still struggling with poverty. evolving citizens demanding democracy.

the threat of violence. the push for peace. the shadow of conflict. get news and insight on southeast asia every weekday live from bangkok only on nhk "newsline." u.s. military personnel in okinawa southwestern japan have been living with stricter rules about alcohol. now military officials say they will extend the ban on off-base drinking for another four days until tuesday. the new rules were introduced following the arrest of a civilian base worker in the connection of the killing of a japanese woman. the officials say a curfew requires all u.s. personnel and civilian employees in the prefecture to return to their homes by midnight. normal rules will be basically restored after next tuesday. off-base drinking will be allowed until midnight and the curfew will be extended to 1:00 a.m. the governments of colombia and the farc guerilla group have reached an historic deal. they've agreed to a cease-fire ending more than five decades of

conflict. the country's president and the leader of the revolutionary armed forces of colombia signed the agreement at a ceremony in havana, cuba. cuban president raul castro helped negotiate the terms. he and u.n. secretary ban ki-moon were on hand for the signing. both sides said farc rebels should now lay down their arms. >> translator: today a new chapter opens. one that will bring back peace and allow our wounds to heal. >> translator: we are very close to signing the final agreement. it will bring an end to the conflict and start the construction of a stable and lasting peace. >> president santos says he hopes for a final deal will be in place by july. farc will begin demobilizing its fighters within 150 days of that agreement. the current deal calls for transition zones where fighters can prepare for civilian life.

the war between farc and the colombian government began in the 1960s. it has claimed the lives of around 220,000 people. a series of lightning strikes across northeastern india this week have killed a total of 93 people. thunderstorms hit the region on tuesday and wednesday. authorities say the death toll in the eastern state alone reached 56. many of the victims were farmers working in fields during torrential rain. >> translator: when it started raining, we immediately took shelter. we had no idea where the lightning was coming from. i regained consciousness on the way to the hospital and realized what had actually happened. >> officials say the number of fatalities in other states reached 37. india is currently in the middle of monsoon season, which lasts until october. lightning strikes are common

during the season. the government says lightning struck and killed more than 2500 people last year as well as the year before. prime minister modi wrote on twitter he's anguished by the loss of so many lives. china is is in the middle of a massive push for development. and one of the areas it's looking at is its high speed rail system. workers are building connections to regional hubs like china's south. the links are expected to help improve the economy, but not everyone is happy with it moving full speed ahead. ♪ >> reporter: the province is home to many ethnic minorities. its rich in natural landscape and traditional culture.

new buildings are going up along along the key state of kunming, with the contraction of new transit line. the project is the first high speed rail line in the province. it's scheduled to open by the end of this year. it will cut the time it takes to travel 2200 kilometers to shanghai to about eight hours. the new railway is expected to boost travel and trade and revitalize the local economy. >> translator: the high speed railway will make it possible to travel across the country and make life more convenient. >> reporter: and the new rail line won't just stop at kunming. the chinese government plans to expand the tracks to connect with neighboring vietnam, lao s, myanmar and beyond. construction has begun on one of the routes.

it will link to delhi, the town near the border with myanmar. most of the 330 kilometer route runs through mountains. workers are digging tunnels and constructing bridges. the project will require an entire community to relocate. the village is home to about 1,000 people of the thai ethnic minority. >> translator: i'm in favor of the project. we'll be able to travel more easily. >> reporter: but many others have mixed feelings, including this 27-year-old. her family has lived here for generations. local officials informed her family of the project two years ago. she says they told her that every household in the village will have to relocate. >> translator: i felt

indescribable pain when i heard of the plan. our house is comfortable, cool in summer and warm in winter. >> reporter: many villagers rely partly on farming rice and corn for their living. they think the railway will allow her family to sell the produce for a higher price. she has misgivings about government officials. she says the only decision they've made in the past two years is to provide subsidies to the people who have to move away of their ancestors. and the subsidy is only about 1,000 yen, or $150 per head. she says they have decided that the railway will be up and running in 2020 without telling the villagers when and where they can move to. >> translator: if they're moving

us out to make way for the project, they should tell us where our new homes will be. without that information, we're feeling anxious about our future. >> reporter: china is clearly using rail links to mend some ties with southeast asian countries. but, for some, the projects are causing upheaval and uncertainty. the china-led asia infrastructure investment bank has approved $509 million in loans for its first four projects, it marks the beginning of the aiib's full-scale banking operations since it opened for business in january. bank officials said that 165 million dollars will invested to improve power line networks in bangladesh. the other three loans will be financed jointly with the world bank, the asian development bank and other financial institutions.

$216.5 million will be used to renovate slums and improve living conditions in indonesia. $100 million will go to construct highways in pakistan. and $27.5 million will be used to improve highways in tajikistan. aiib officials are calling attention to the fact that they are co-financing projects in cooperation with existing global financial institutions. the aiib plans to select more projects for investment and extend loans amounting to $1.2 billion by the end of the year. here is the weekend weather forecast.

that's all we have this hour on nhk "newsline." thank you for watching and have a good day.

host: this week, global 3000 heads to mumbai in india. the megacity is expanding at an uncontrolled rate. will that be the end of mangrove forests and the flamingos? in egypt, the police force seems to operate according to its own rule, leaving many citizens traumatized. but first, a rare glimpse into life in north korea. more and more people are successfully escaping the world's most isolated country. we hear one young woman's story. it's been almost 70 years since the korean peninsula was split in half. since then, north korea has been ruled by a communist dictatorship. life in the two countries could